CARAVANS & CAMPING

Press, 19 October 1978, Page 22

CARAVANS & CAMPING

There is little worse than doors that jam open, windows that .won’t open, wheel bearings that squeak, and tyres that leak air. Do yourself a favour, before starting on

your holiday trip — get your caravan out of its winter mothballs. (1) Wash the caravan with a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water and rinse off. Theh check

for cracks or rust spots. Rust can be cleaned with steel wool and then repainted. Hose down the chawsis, wash away ail dirt. Inspect the underbody wires and pipes tor damage. Repaint the chassis and drawbar if they show signs of rust or damage. Replace worn or rusty safety chain links and check the coupling for wear. Cut and polish caravan body. (2) Check seams and rubber seals for deterioration. Reseal and recaulk if necessary with a proprietary compound. Renew cracked or broken window 'seals. Wipe outside rubber

i (window) seals with gly- ; cerine to prevent perishing. Stick insulating tape around joint between exterior lights and body to prevent water seepage. (3) Oil ail locks, door and window hinges, park ing legs and any other moveable part. Oil only lightly and wipe off excess — too much oil can cause problems. Check wheel bearings and. if necessary, repack or replace. Grease the jockey wheel. 4) Check tyres for wear. You will not get a warrant of fitness if the tread’ is less than a matchhead in depth. Suspect all cuts, cracks, or flaking in the tyre sidewalls. If you

replace tyres they should be of the same construction and size recommended by the caravan manufacturer. (5) Check the brakes for wear. (6) Make sure all gas lines are sound. A method of checking is to turn on the gas and wipe the line with liquid detergent — if it bubbles, there is a leak. (7) Check for leaks in the water tank and pipes. Dismantle the water pump, renew the washer if worn and coat the innards with a fine layer of vaseline. (8) Make sure the electrical warrant is up to date. (9) Clean the interior with warm water and soap, wiping plastic drawers, vinyl seat covers, sinks ahd appliances, walls and ceiling. Vacuum

carpet and cushion covers. Wash the fridge interior and either leave the door propped open or leave a small container of baking soda on a low shelf to keep odours from developing. Repair broken blind rollers. Dry-clean curtains, and wash blinds. (.10) Clean and sanitise water system. Place 19 grams (four teaspoons) of a low foaming washing detergent for every .45 litres of water in the tank. Tow the caravan a short distance t o agitate the mixture and then flush. Repeat and drain. Follow

this with a disinfectant solution of 170 grams (2/3 cups) of bleach for each

45 litres water capacity. Half fill the tank with water, add the bleach, then fill. Open each faucet and run the water until you can smell the chlorine, then close it and let the caravan sit for a while. Repeat this at onehourly intervals until the smell is evident the moment the faucet is opened. Drain and rinse with clean water. Do not forget to include the hot-water faucet in this procedure.

(11) Check the awning for frayed ropes, ripped canvas, and broken zips. Wire brush steel pegs free of rust. (12) When the sun shines, open all windows to give the caravan a good airing.

If you do all this, you are a paragon but you will find your caravan better ready for use when summer comes, and it should last longer without breakdowns.

Caravan supplement, pages 9, 10 and 11